Dear Sweetheart novel

“You and your brother haven’t come home in a while, so I just wanted to see how you’re doing,”

explained Linda. “When are you coming back for a meal? Also, I’ve made two bottles of wine. Why don’t

you take some with you?”

After telling her mother she would visit her the next day, Rayna ended the call speedily.

Meanwhile, Curtis approached her in his wheelchair. “Why did your mother address me as her son-in-law

earlier?”

He did not think his voice bore any resemblance to Julian’s.

“Ah! A-About that…” Under the man’s questioning gaze, Rayna’s mind went blank for a second, and she

stammered an excuse, “M-My mom’s hearing isn’t the best, so she thought you were Julian.”

Her words caused Curtis’ expression to darken.

Instantly, she felt a chill running down her spine, and she wondered what put him in a foul mood. Even

so, she steeled herself and continued explaining, “Although my relationship with Julian was rocky, my

mother likes him quite a bit.”

Feeling an inexplicable surge of anger within him, he sneered. “What a ‘nice’ mother she is, liking a son-

in-law who constantly cheats on and mistreats her own daughter!”

“Besides his cheating, Julian isn’t a bad person.”

Besides, I’m at fault, too.

“That’s enough. I have no interest in listening to your explanations.” Curtis’ tone was ice-cold. After

saying that, he wheeled himself out, leaving a confused Rayna alone in the kitchen.

Did I say something wrong?

For some unknown reason, she felt Curtis was mad at her. He wore a gloomy expression for the entire

day and refused to acknowledge her. Furthermore, he went as far as to place his fork down as soon as

he noticed she had made pork ravioli. Rayna was blazing with fury at that point.

She wanted to snap at him, but after casting a glance at the wheelchair-bound man, she tamped down

her anger, drove out to get some fresh beef, and made a small portion of beef ravioli.

The next day, Curtis was still upset with her and largely ignored her presence.

Rayna went out after making breakfast and gave James a call as she drove to her mother’s house.

However, a woman answered the call.

“Are you insane? Why are you calling at this hour? You’re disrupting my sleep!”

Rayna was startled.

Before she could return to her senses, the foul-mouthed woman’s voice was gone and replaced by

James’ slightly husky voice. “What’s the matter, Rayna?”

“Are you not at school? I’m picking you up to have lunch at Mom’s place.”

“I’m on a break for a few days, so I’m out. Wait for me at our usual place. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”

Rayna grunted a response, but she could not hold her tongue any longer. “Who’s that woman earlier?

She has quite a temper, doesn’t she?”

“Nobody. I’ll go wash up.”

Afraid his sister would bombard him with questions, James hung up as soon as those words fell from his

lips.

Afterward, he stormed back into the bedroom and pulled Kristie out of bed. “Ms. Winton, didn’t I tell you

not to touch my things?” he questioned, visibly enraged by the woman’s action.

“Well, it disrupted my sleep,” Kristie mumbled as she kept her eyes closed and tried to lean her head on

his chest.

Thinking of the multi-million dollar debt he owed her, James had no choice but to put up with her.

Nonetheless, he did not allow her to lean on him and merely threw her on the bed before heading to the

bathroom.

Every bit of drowsiness left Kristie following his action. Rubbing her eyes, she yawned as she made her

way to the bathroom. With her mouth open, she waited for James to squeeze the toothpaste on her

toothbrush for her.

Once he put her toothbrush in her mouth, she brushed her teeth, asking, “What are we eating today?”

“You can order takeout. I have something to do, so I’m going out.” James’ movements were quick. It only

took him a couple of minutes to get ready.

Upon hearing that, Kristie turned around and shot him a glare. “No! Is Curt looking for you? You can just

make Cillian go in your stead! Anyway, I will not have takeout!”

The veins on his forehead bulged. “It’s just one meal.”

“I don’t care!”

He was bereft of words.

“I don’t want to order takeout. It’s unhygienic and not tasty at all!” added Kristie with a pitiful pout. “I want

to eat something you cooked. I don’t mind eating late, either.”

Truth be told, James hated whenever she tried to be coy with him. It was more unbearable than her

tantrums. Unfortunately for him, he did not have a choice. “I’m having lunch at my mom’s place. In that

case, I’ll pack some for you.”

“Your mom lives in Norwal City as well? I thought she lived far from you,” she remarked, utterly

fascinated.

“Take it or leave it.”

“Why don’t I go with you?” Kristie suggested as she grabbed his arm. It did not sound like she was

kidding at all. “I don’t have much to do this morning, so it’s a perfect time for me to greet your mom.”

“She doesn’t like being disturbed by outsiders.” James slapped her hand away and placed her

toothbrush back into her mouth. “It’s either you order takeout, or I pack a portion for you. Make your

choice.”

The woman pouted and replied incoherently, “Pack.”

At that, he turned around and left.

After brushing her teeth, Kristie dashed out of the bathroom and watched the man’s every move, not

bothering to wash her face. Once he left the house, she quickly put on some clothes and followed him.

She flagged down a taxi and ordered the driver to trail James. However, instead of heading straight to his

mother’s house, he went to a junction, much to her surprise.

A BC car was parked at the junction. James opened the car door and got into it.

Kristie craned her neck to get a closer look at the car. It was then she caught a glimpse of Rayna in the

driver’s seat. The latter was laughing while saying something to James and even helped him with the

seatbelt. The two of them looked extremely affectionate with one another.

Fuming, Kristie cursed, “That d*mned vixen!”

Is she my mortal enemy from my previous life or something? She stole Curt away from me and caused

me to lose his favor. Still, she didn’t stop at that and even took my bodyguard from me. How evil of her!

As the BC drove away, Kristie ordered the driver, “Quick! Follow that car!”

“Huh? Aren’t you—” The driver thought she resembled a celebrity, but he dared not probe further and

merely did as he was told since Kristie was grumpy.

In reality, James knew she was trailing him, but he kept mum about it.

Casting a glance at the rearview mirror, he noticed that taxi was still on his trail, so he told Rayna to take

another road. They took a turn at every intersection they encountered until they managed to shake off

the taxi.

Rayna also noticed something amiss. She hesitated for a moment before finally asking her brother, “Did

you not pay her enough? The women there aren’t easy to deal with. You didn’t leave her your number or

anything, right?”

As soon as he realized what she was thinking, James’ lips twitched. “I didn’t do anything of that sort,

Rayna.”

“It’s all right. You’re all grown up, so it’s good that you’re educating yourself on those matters. A word of

advice, you should always use protection. It’s also for your own safety—”